So often our various journalists find trouble in
selecting the proper name for the Moorish American. Some say "Negro,"
another will brand him "Race Man," still another will call him
"Afro-American," and then come "Colored," "Dark
American." "Coon," "Shine," "The
Brethren," and "Your Folks." It is indeed a hard matter to find
something suitable for the various occasions where a title needs to be used. Is
it that these people have no proper name? Did they have a National name when
first brought to these shores in the early part of the 17th Century? If so,
what was it? Did not the land from which they were forced have a name? It now appears
a good idea for those whose duty it is to write for the various journals to
find out what the National Name of the forefathers of these people was. Also
look into the history of the founders of civilization and see who they were and
where they stood in the building of the present civilization. Probably two
hours in an up-to-date library would serve to relieve the strain on our men of letters.
When the occasion presents itself for a title for these people. The matter of
the various names given to these 22 million people with all colors of every
race of the glove was an act of European psychology. They gave him a name, and
then defined it as something inferior to theirs. "White," they
defined as a color of purity; "Black," they say, represents
everything of evil. The "Negro," as they were called in this nation,
have no nation to which they might look with pride. Their history starts
with the close of the Civil War or more properly with his being forced to serve
someone else. Thus he is separated from the illustrious history of his forefathers
who were the founders of the first civilization of the Old World. This
matter should be looked into with a hope of correcting it.